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If there’s one mechanic that has stood amazed in the test of time and exceeded genres, it’s stealth. Nowadays, Stealth elements can be seen in action-adventure titles, third person shooters, first person shooters and even 2D side-scrollers.

Stealth has been a captivating challenge and an important factor in a lot of games. To the inexperienced eye, stealth is same in every game—cheat around to kill people or finish a goal without being seen. But to game designers and stealth fans, there are various ways to look at stealth, covering newer mechanics and currently bringing innovation to the genre. Below are the three types of stealth found in games that are worth looking into.

Hiding To Avoid Visual Detection: This is the most basic one. Withdrawing visual detection means that the character is not found by an enemy, which is normally done by line-of-sight mechanics. Some enemies hardly see the player visually, while others can sense them or even sense them with fictional powers. The purpose of the player is to avoid detection by hiding above their line-of-sight, behind objects, in the shadows, etc.

For example, Metal Gear was the first title to have a line-of-sight mechanic where players need to avoid the guards’ front view detection. If they were seen, they had to fight the guards.

Players appreciate the more calculating approach that includes picking off enemies one by one.

Hiding Via A Disguise: Using masks or covers to blend into groups and not stand out has been prominently used in everything from classic novels to movies and television shows. This kind of stealth, which is also known as social stealth, normally uses a disguise and NPCs as its two main ingredients. To escape detection, players wear a particular costume that allows them to blend into a crowd of NPCs. By this, player fools the patrolling rebels into thinking that he is just another bystander, party guest, etc.

Most of the NPCs look like the player characters, which means you can walk randomly or join a group of them to fool your opponent. There are even techniques that change your look tentatively to have a better chance of mixing in.

Hiding To Hunt: On contrary to games where if you are detected by your enemy, it means losing the game or a tough combat battle, games with a hunter stealth element allow players to find and kill their targets. This mode enables players with a sense of dominance and control as they hit fear in the hearts of enemies while killing them down, one by one.

Players are mostly more than free to reach the enemies and beat them, but sometimes this isn’t the best strategy. Instead, players must move undiscovered through vents and on high-placed creatures to single out enemies. There’s nothing better than hearing the criminals panic as they notice more and more of their companions lying unconscious.

What are your favorite games that involve stealth elements? What stealth elements do you love? Tell us in the comments section or Tweet us @essjay_ent!

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I am digging the new site layout. Anyway as much as I love the article my two cents on the topi? Stealth aplicationds are really dictated by game type. I mean could you imagine sonic hiding? we cannot right?

Game with stealth mechanic usually falls down into 2 category imo : one that emphasize you to use stealth a lot to win and another one where you can choose whether to use stealth or just charge in. The first one tend to utilize the 3 hiding mechanic better i must say.

Tom Clancy Splinter Cell is one of the best game that is using Stealth elements. It reminds me of the movie Stealth during the days. What I only know is that it has a first shooter or target shooter. It is fun when you able to shoot what you aim or target.